The so-called "Heartbeat Bill" is dead in this session of the legislature, according to Republican Senate president Tom Niehaus. But its backers say they won't give up, and are still hoping for a last-minute maneuver to get it to the Senate floor before the end of the year. But one supporter of restrictions on abortion who's not getting involved is Gov. John Kasich.
"I let the legislature do its job, and then I respond. I try not to wade into the legislature," says Kasich. "I don't get in the middle of legislative activity."
But Kasich has been vocal in his desire to see certain bills pass, such as the change in school report cards to an A through F rating system and a change in tax laws for banks - and of course he's said for months that he wants lawmakers to allow for an increase in the severance tax on oil and gas drillers to fund a cut in the state income tax.